Dominic Thiem has officially retired from professional tennis after his final match at the Vienna Open on October 22, where he faced Luciano Darderi. Although his last match didn’t end in victory, he leaves the sport with no regrets. Since announcing his retirement in February, Thiem has received heartfelt tributes at various tournaments, solidifying his remarkable legacy that has even moved fellow tennis icon Patrick Mouratoglou.

Despite battling wrist injuries in recent years, Thiem approached his final season with determination. During a chat with Joel Girling, Mouratoglou praised him on the Tennis Weekly podcast, stating, “I think more than anything, we will remember him as someone who just gave 100 percent all the time. He’s an incredible worker and fighter, embodying the true values of the sport.” Being the ex-coach of Serena Williams and the new coach of the WTA star, Naomi Osaka, Mouratoglou has been around the sport long enough to see the magic that Dominic has displayed on the court.

At the UTS Frankfurt, Dominic lost all three of his matches, including defeats to Thanasi Kokkinakis, Denis Shapovalov, and Ugo Humbert. Despite that, he received a heartfelt send-off from the event organizers and fellow players. Patrick Mouratoglou recalled a touching moment, stating, “We did a little celebration for him, and all the players stayed till 10 PM for him. They hugged him and threw him up. That was crazy!” Thiem didn’t win any titles this year, but his achievements shine brighter than that.

“And I think you can be proud because when you finish your career, it’s the same, by the way, when you finish your life,” Mouratoglou added. Thiem’s career was highlighted by 17 ATP titles. Including his crowning achievement at the 2020 US Open, where he staged a thrilling comeback against Alexander Zverev.

Mouratoglou noted Thiem’s significance in tennis history, “Especially again playing at the same time as Roger, Rafa, and Novak.” The Austrian triumphed over Roger Federer in the 2019 Indian Wells final for his first ATP Masters 1000 title. He defeated Novak Djokovic in the dramatic semifinal of the 2019 French Open. And even secured a memorable win against Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals of the 2020 Australian Open. If that doesn’t scream “legend,” what does?

“I think to be able to look back and think, ‘I have zero regrets because I gave 100%’ is the most beautiful thing in the world.” Mouratoglou concluded, resonating deeply with what Thiem himself had expressed in a recent interview with The Guardian, “In the end, everything kind of makes sense. I’m satisfied with how everything went.”

While it’s sad to see Thiem hang up his racket, he can take comfort in his incredible memories and achievements. All the kind words from fans and fellow players will stick with him forever. Even Roger Federer and Rafa paid tribute, praising Thiem’s talent and sportsmanship on social media.

One tennis legend to another in the light of his retirement

Thiem’s struggles with wrist injuries over the past few years did not overshadow a glorious career filled with remarkable achievements. Tributes poured in from fellow legends, including Roger Federer, who took to Instagram to honor Thiem’s contributions to the sport. “An illustrious career comes to a close 🥲 Congratulations Domi ❤️,” Federer wrote, reminiscing about their encounters and praising Thiem’s powerful backhand. As the tennis community rallied around him, Rafael Nadal was also one who shared a short message. Simply stating “Danke Domi,” which translates to “Thank you, Domi.”

Earlier, Thiem expressed clarity about his decision to retire before hanging his racquet, revealing that it felt right to step away from the sport he loves. In an interview with Tennis.com, he stated, “The last two years or so, I saw that I’m not going to be able to come back to the ranking and to the playing level I once had. I knew that slowly, my tennis career is coming to an end.” Thiem emphasized the need to seek new paths in life after tennis, saying, “I needed to look for new ways because there’s going to be life after tennis.”

As he prepares to step away from the sport, Dominic Thiem undoubtedly leaves behind a legacy filled with remarkable achievements and cherished memories. His impact on the tennis world will be fondly remembered. What are your thoughts on his career? Let us know in the comments below.